During the 10th annual WINGS luncheon, New Friends New Life was privileged to present Dallas Police Chief David Brown, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, and former First Lady Laura Bush the 2013 New Friends New Life Protect-Her Award. Award recipients were chosen based on their efforts in fighting human trafficking and their dedication to serving exploited women on the local, state, and national scale.

The North Texas Protect-Her Award went to Dallas Police Chief David Brown for his work in fighting human trafficking in the Dallas community. The Dallas Police Department has played an integral role in spearheading the human trafficking prevention in North Texas. As victims of domestic trafficking rarely self-report; the work the Dallas Police Department and their Child Exploitation Squad is doing important work to recognize one of the most overlooked and under investigated forms of child abuse.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott was presented the Protect-Her award for recognition of his effort and dedication to combat human trafficking and help exploited women state-wide. As the Chairman of the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, Attorney General Abbott has removed thousands of sex predators throughout the state of Texas. He has worked closely with legislators, law enforcement authorities and non-profit organizations in his attempt to combat human trafficking across the state of Texas.

General Greg Abbott responded to his award stating:

“The Protect-Her Award is a testament to the work the Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force and the Texas Legislature have done to ensure Texas is hostile territory for human traffickers. Together, we have worked to increase penalties for traffickers, enhance coordination within the law enforcement community and improve victims’ access to vitally important services.”

Former first lady Laura Bush was recognized as the recipient of the national Protect-Her Award. Mrs. Bush has used her national platform to support education and the empowerment of women and families worldwide. She is known for speaking out against the violation of women’s rights and for recognizing human trafficking as a pervasive assault on women’s right to self-determination.

New Friends New Life recognizes the essential need for local, state, and national leaders to engage in disassembling human trafficking networks and providing hope for survivors of this horrific crime. We ask you join the movement to end commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of women.

New Friends New Life

New Friends New Life is a faith-based organization located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that enables women to leave the degradation of the sex industry and to build new lives for themselves and their children.